John Dobbie jailed for 'shoogling' baby murder bid in Fife

John Dobbie fractured the child's skull and left him blind and brain damaged after repeatedly shaking him

A Fife man who "violently" shook a three-month old baby, resulting in serious brain injuries, has been jailed for 15 years.

John Dobbie fractured the child's skull and left him blind and brain-damaged after repeatedly shaking him and striking his head against a surface.

Dobbie, 36, had denied attempting to murder the three-month-old boy at his home in Kirkcaldy in 2011.

However, he was found guilty by a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Dobbie had attended at the Forth Park Hospital in Kirkcaldy with the child, claiming he had become unwell.

However, following medical examination, doctors determined that the infant's injuries were consistent with being shaken and contacted police.

'Horrific injuries'

Det Insp John Anderson, of Police Scotland, said: "The sentence handed to John Dobbie today reflects just how truly horrendous a crime he committed against a defenceless baby.

"This was a complex and protracted investigation, which relied upon the multi-agency co-operation of the police, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, NHS Fife and Fife Council Social Work Department.

"I would like to thank all of those who ensured this despicable crime was brought to trial for all of their efforts. As a result, John Dobbie will now spend several years in prison.

"The horrific injuries the child sustained mean he will live with numerous impairments for the rest of his life and will require day-to-day care. Despite this, John Dobbie has never shown any remorse for his actions, which demonstrates how cold and callous an individual he is."